A popular restaurant and pub recently taken over by new management has been handed a zero-star food hygiene rating.
The Oak Tree, on Yarm Road in Middleton St George, has been told that “urgent improvement is necessary” after an inspection on July 24 this year.
Food safety officers ranked both the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building and the management of food safety at the venue as “major improvement necessary”.
Meanwhile, the hygienic food handling, which includes food preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling, and storage, was given an “improvement necessary” ranking.
The Oak Tree was taken over by a new owner and manager back in June, who said that inspectors visited just six weeks into her new role.
She told The Northern Echo: “Unfortunately, in my sixth week I was visited, but the changes had not been made by then.”
She claimed that there were issues she “was not aware of” and is now “trying very hard to get things fixed”. She added: “I hope everyone will understand.”
The manager confirmed that the venue will be closed from Monday, September 2, for roughly three weeks while cleaning and refurbishment work are undertaken.
These will be mainly structural improvements, including work on the preparation area and kitchen. She added that she is “very confident” for the future of The Oak Tree.
Known for serving “high-quality food and drink with a great atmosphere”, The Oak Tree has been regularly praised online for its “amazing” food and “lovely” decor.
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With a 4/5 rating on TripAdvisor, one reviewer said: “First class service, food first class and good quality - would highly recommend The Oak Tree.
“You possibly need to book a table as it was very busy. [I] will go again for another meal, the staff are very good.”
The Northern Echo has requested the full food hygiene report from Darlington Council.
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